The former news editor says Sabah's security has not improved in the last 13 years and the government should inform tourists of the risks involved.
PETALING JAYA: Stop giving the impression that the east coast of Sabah is a safe place, said former New Straits Times editor-in-chief Abdul Kadir Jasin.
In a blog post today, the veteran newsman said that in 2000, Filipino gunmen kidnapped foreign tourists and Malaysian resort employees from Pulau Sipadan.
“But the east coast of Sabah is no safer after 13 years,” said Kadir.
He was commenting on English daily The Star’s headline today which read: ‘Trouble in Paradise Again’, in regards to the kidnapping of a Chinese tourist and a Filipino employee from the Singamata Reef Resort, off Semporna on April 2.
Eyewitnesses were reported to have said that several gunmen stormed into the hotel and took away the women within minutes on boats.
“Let me be very frank and open. I have lost confidence in our ability to defend the sovereignty of this part of the country, as well as to protect lives and properties of its residents and visitors,” said Kadir, who is also former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s loyalist.
Kadir said that he himself went to see the rescue operations in the 2000 incident with the delegation led by then defence minister Najib Tun Razak.
“The whole exercise was to assure Sabahans and its tourists that there will not be a repeat of the incident and that they were safe. But after 13 years and with Najib as the Prime Minister, the Sabah coast has only become more lawless and dangerous.
“Incursions, kidnapping and outright attacks have become so common that assurances mean little or nothing at all anymore. So what paradise is The Star talking about? To save whatever is left of our reputation and credibility, we should stop giving the wrong impression to tourists that the eastern seaboard of Sabah is safe,” said Kadir.
He added that the country should at least be frank to tourists and tell them that they are visiting the islands and beaches at their own risk.
Kadir lamented that although God has given the country many heavenly places, the places have been turned into hell by gunmen and kidnappers due to the incompetence and poor leadership at all levels- down to the local police and military commanders.
“It appears that the louder our leaders speak, the more money they spend on defence and security, and the more agencies they set up, the less secure and safe the country becomes,” he said.
FMT Borneo Plus
PETALING JAYA: Stop giving the impression that the east coast of Sabah is a safe place, said former New Straits Times editor-in-chief Abdul Kadir Jasin.
In a blog post today, the veteran newsman said that in 2000, Filipino gunmen kidnapped foreign tourists and Malaysian resort employees from Pulau Sipadan.
“But the east coast of Sabah is no safer after 13 years,” said Kadir.
He was commenting on English daily The Star’s headline today which read: ‘Trouble in Paradise Again’, in regards to the kidnapping of a Chinese tourist and a Filipino employee from the Singamata Reef Resort, off Semporna on April 2.
Eyewitnesses were reported to have said that several gunmen stormed into the hotel and took away the women within minutes on boats.
“Let me be very frank and open. I have lost confidence in our ability to defend the sovereignty of this part of the country, as well as to protect lives and properties of its residents and visitors,” said Kadir, who is also former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s loyalist.
Kadir said that he himself went to see the rescue operations in the 2000 incident with the delegation led by then defence minister Najib Tun Razak.
“The whole exercise was to assure Sabahans and its tourists that there will not be a repeat of the incident and that they were safe. But after 13 years and with Najib as the Prime Minister, the Sabah coast has only become more lawless and dangerous.
“Incursions, kidnapping and outright attacks have become so common that assurances mean little or nothing at all anymore. So what paradise is The Star talking about? To save whatever is left of our reputation and credibility, we should stop giving the wrong impression to tourists that the eastern seaboard of Sabah is safe,” said Kadir.
He added that the country should at least be frank to tourists and tell them that they are visiting the islands and beaches at their own risk.
Kadir lamented that although God has given the country many heavenly places, the places have been turned into hell by gunmen and kidnappers due to the incompetence and poor leadership at all levels- down to the local police and military commanders.
“It appears that the louder our leaders speak, the more money they spend on defence and security, and the more agencies they set up, the less secure and safe the country becomes,” he said.
FMT Borneo Plus
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